Three local firms seek Centre’s naming rights

YOUNGSTOWN —The city is in discussions with three local companies, one “more serious” than the other two, for the Chevrolet Centre’s naming rights.

The city will meet with that “more serious” company next week to further discuss the issue, Mayor Jay Williams said.

The mayor declined to name the three companies, but said all were “local players with national presence.”

B.J. Alan Co., owner of Phantom Fireworks and the Mahoning Valley Phantoms junior hockey team that is playing 21 of its home games at the Chevrolet Centre, is among the three. But it’s not the “more serious” company.

Because of declining revenue and a struggling economy, General Motors didn’t renew its contract for the center’s naming rights when it expired Sept. 30. GM paid $175,000 in cash annually for three years and provided four vehicles a year to the city for the naming rights.

Negotiations with local Chevrolet dealers on a one-year deal “did not pan out,” Williams said.

Also, the city is in discussions with the ECHL, formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League, about bringing a team to the Chevrolet Centre — or whatever the city-owned facility will be renamed — for the 2009-10 hockey season, Williams said.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com